System for keyless activation, engagement, and monitoring of vehicles

ABSTRACT

A system for keyless activation, engagement, and monitoring of vehicles and mobile app system and methods of use via the Internet is provided. The system may include a group of devices having a processor and a data store that are connected to a network. Any one of a first, second, and/or third computing devices may be configured to transmit, receive and process at least one vehicle activation command associated with a first vehicle via a close proximity wireless communication. Additionally, a fourth computing device may be configured to electrically communicate with any of the first, second, and/or third computing device so as to control the first, second, and/or third computing device. An associated method is also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This continuation application claims priority benefit of U.S.Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 15/807,526 filed on Nov. 8, 2017entitled “System for Keyless Activation, Engagement, and Monitoring ofVehicles” which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Ser.No. 62/418,978 filed on Nov. 8, 2016 entitled “Stinger/Qixsys KeylessSecurity, Activation, Engagement, Battery Monitoring, and Mobile AppSystem and Methods of Use”; and U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 62/458,075filed on Feb. 13, 2017 entitled “QixStarter (Bluetooth AutomotiveSwitch), QixCell (Bluetooth Enabled Battery) and DropQix (Bluetoothenabled, mobile load control for vehicles)” which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a system for keylessactivation of a vehicle, and remote engagement and monitoring of avehicle and, in particular, activating the ignition system, controllingelectronic components and power systems of the vehicle, and/ormonitoring various metrics of the vehicle remotely.

BACKGROUND

Remote vehicle engagement may advantageously provide for efficientvehicle fleet management and/or usage. Past vehicle ignition systemshave required direct activation of an automobile engine and/orpropulsion device. Unauthorized access to such systems may pose dangersto occupants of the vehicle. Additionally, some vehicle ignition systemsprovide power to other vehicle systems once the vehicle ignition systemis activated. Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is arecognized unmet need for a vehicle engagement system, wherein at leastone advantage of such a system may include allowing for vehicleactivation without interacting with the vehicle ignition system itself.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Example implementations of the present disclosure are directed to animproved system, method and computer-readable storage medium forlocating a workpiece, machine part and/or the like. Example aspectsprovide a simplified and efficient approach to locating the position ofa workpiece during a machining or manufacturing process.

A system for keyless activation, engagement, and monitoring of vehiclesand mobile app system and methods of use is provided. The system mayinclude a group of devices having a processor and a data store, saidgroup of devices connected to a network. In some aspects, the system mayinclude a first computing device having a first processor, a firstkeypad, a first display and a first data store. The first computingdevice may be configured to receive and process at least one vehicledata associated with a first vehicle via a close proximity wirelesscommunication. The system may further include a second computing devicehaving a second processor, a second keypad, a second display, and asecond data store. The second processor may be configured to receive andprocess an on-off control and activation of the battery systems andtransmit a battery status via said close proximity wirelesscommunication. The system may further include a third computing devicehaving a third processor, a third keypad, a third display, and a thirddata store. The third processor may be configured to receive and processan on-off control and activation of a load control slave module via saidclose proximity wireless communication. The system may further include afourth computing device having a fourth processor, a fourth keypad, afourth display, and a fourth data store. The fourth processor may beconfigured with an application to transmit an activation and engagementsequence and an on-off control and activation of a battery system via aclose proximity wireless communication with any one of the firstcomputing device, the second computing device, and the third computingdevice. The system may further include a fifth computing device having afifth processor, a fifth keypad, a fifth display, and a fifth datastore. The fifth processor may be configured to receive and communicatean activation and engagement sequence and an on-off control andactivation of a battery system with at least the fourth computing devicevia distant wireless communication protocols and/or the Internet. Thesystem may further include a sixth computing device having a sixthprocessor, a sixth keypad, a sixth display, and a sixth data store. Thesixth processor may be configured to generate and communicate anactivation and engagement sequence and/or an on-off control andactivation sequence of a battery system with at least one of the fourthcomputing device and/or fifth computing device via distant wirelesscommunication and/or the Internet.

According to some aspects, the system may further include a firstcomputing device that includes a first display configured to provide aforward indicator and/or a reverse indicator. The system may further beconfigured to utilize close proximity wireless communication protocols,such as, for example, Bluetooth communication protocols. The system mayfurther include at least one of a first, second, and/or third computingdevice configured to utilize wireless communication protocols over awired and/or wireless network. The system may also include at least onefirst, second, and/or third computing device includes a globalpositioning system module configured to determine the location of theassociated first, second, and/or third computing device. The system mayfurther include at least one of a first, second, and/or third computingdevice that includes a security alarm. The system may further include atleast one of a first, second, and/or third computing device thatincludes a USB input/output configured to provide for an electricalcharge to the associated first, second and/or third computing device.The system may also include a second computing device that includes abattery indicator configured to provide a visual and/or audio indicationof the battery status. The system may also include at least one of afirst, second, and/or third computing device configured to communicatewith another computing device utilizing a wireless mesh network, whichmay include a plurality of radio nodes (e.g., RF mesh technology). Thesystem may further include a first computing device configured totransmit and/or receive vehicle data associated with the first vehicle,which may include at least one of a keyless activation and engagementsequence, an on-off control command of a vehicle, and an ignitionstatus. The system may further include at least one of a first computingdevice, a second computing device, and a third computing device isconfigured to receive an authorization code. Additionally, the systemmay include at least one of a first computing device, a second computingdevice, and a third computing device configured to verify theauthorization code with at least one of a fourth computing device and/ora sixth computing device. An associated method of operating the vehicleengagement system is also provided.

The features, functions and advantages discussed herein may be achievedindependently in various example implementations or may be combined inyet other example implementations further details of which may be seenwith reference to the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described example implementations of the disclosure ingeneral terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of at least one computingdevice of a system for engaging, activating, and/or monitoring avehicle, battery, and/or electrical system of a vehicle having anelectrical load according to example aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a system for engaging,activating, and/or monitoring a vehicle, battery, and/or electricalsystem of a vehicle having an electrical load according to exampleaspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a vehicle engagementsystem according to one aspect of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a method of engaging a vehicleaccording to one aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some aspects of the present disclosure will now be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some,but not all aspects of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, various aspectsof the disclosure may be expressed in many different forms and shouldnot be construed as limited to the aspects set forth herein; rather,these exemplary aspects are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosureto those skilled in the art. For example, unless otherwise indicated,something being described as being a first, second or the like shouldnot be construed to imply a particular order. Also, something may bedescribed as being above something else (unless otherwise indicated) mayinstead be below, and vice versa; and similarly, something described asbeing to the left of something else may instead be to the right, andvice versa. As used in the specification, and in the appended claims,the singular forms “a”, “an”, “the”, include plural referents unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. Like reference numerals refer tolike elements throughout.

Aspects of the present disclosure may provide for increased security andefficiency in controlling and/or monitoring vehicle functions, such as,for example, at least one of the control of automotive ignition systems,the control of battery systems within a vehicle, and/or the control ofelectrical power loads of a vehicle. Some aspects of the presentdisclosure may provide for a system configured to provide smartphoneenabled on-off control of automotive ignition systems. The system mayinclude an electronic switch housed in a plastic enclosure andcontaining a circuit which may be controlled by a wireless connection,such as a Bluetooth connection, to a smartphone, such as any portablecomputing device configured to communicate using a Bluetooth connection.Additional aspects of the present disclosure may provide for a systemconfigured to provide smartphone enabled on-off control of a standardlead acid/lithium battery. This system may include an electronic switchintegrated into the plastic enclosure of a lead acid battery which maybe controlled by Bluetooth wireless connection to a smartphone or otherBluetooth enabled device. Further, aspects of the present disclosurerelate to the electronic design of a system which may provide smartphoneenabled control of various electrical power loads on vehicles. Thesystem may include a load control panel that is installed on theconsole. The load control panel may be configured to interact with aload control slave module, which is installed at the actual source ofthe electrical load itself (e.g. air conditioning, light, fan, heater,etc.). The load control panel may communicate with any of the slavemodules by Bluetooth wireless connection of a Bluetooth enabled device.

In describing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, asillustrated in FIGS. 1-2, specific terminology is employed for the sakeof clarity. The present disclosure, however, is not intended to belimited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to beunderstood that each specific element includes all technical equivalentsthat operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions. Theclaimed invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed to be limited to the embodiments set forthherein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples, and aremerely examples among other possible examples.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the presentdisclosure may be embodied as a method, data processing system, orcomputer program product. Accordingly, the present disclosure may takethe form of an entirely hardware embodiment, entirely softwareembodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects.Furthermore, the present disclosure may take the form of a computerprogram product on a computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-readable program code means embodied in the medium. Anysuitable computer readable medium may be utilized, including hard disks,ROM, RAM, CD-ROMs, electrical, optical, magnetic storage devices and thelike.

The present disclosure is described below with reference to flowchartillustrations of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer programproducts according to embodiments of the present disclosure. It will beunderstood that each block or step of the flowchart illustrations, andcombinations of blocks or steps in the flowchart illustrations, can beimplemented by computer program instructions or operations. Thesecomputer program instructions or operations may be loaded onto ageneral-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such thatthe instructions or operations, which execute on the computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus, create means for implementingthe functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks/step or steps.

These computer program instructions or operations may also be stored ina computer-usable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions or operations stored in thecomputer-usable memory produce an article of manufacture includinginstruction means which implement the function specified in theflowchart block or blocks/step or steps. The computer programinstructions or operations may also be loaded onto a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus (processor) to cause a series ofoperational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmableapparatus (processor) to produce a computer implemented process suchthat the instructions or operations which execute on the computer orother programmable apparatus (processor) provide steps for implementingthe functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks/step or steps.

Accordingly, blocks or steps of the flowchart illustrations supportcombinations of means for performing the specified functions,combinations of steps for performing the specified functions, andprogram instruction means for performing the specified functions. Itshould also be understood that each block or step of the flowchartillustrations, and combinations of blocks or steps in the flowchartillustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedcomputer systems, which perform the specified functions or steps, orcombinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions oroperations.

Computer programming for implementing the present disclosure may bewritten in various programming languages, database languages, and thelike. However, it is understood that other source or object orientedprogramming languages, and other conventional programming language maybe utilized without departing from the spirit and intent of the presentdisclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing device 10 that provides a suitable environment forimplementing embodiments of the present disclosure. Examples of suitableelectronic devices may include any one of a smartphone, tablet computer,laptop computer, desktop computer, workstation computer, server computerand/or the like. The computer architecture shown in FIG. 1 is dividedinto two parts—motherboard 100 and the input/output (I/O) devices 200.Motherboard 100 preferably includes subsystems and/or processor(s) toexecute instructions such as central processing unit (CPU) 102, a memorydevice, such as random access memory (RAM) 104, input/output (I/O)controller 108, and a memory device such as read-only memory (ROM) 106,also known as firmware, which are interconnected by bus 110. A basicinput output system (BIOS) containing the basic routines that help totransfer information between elements within the subsystems of thecomputer is preferably stored in ROM 106, or operably disposed in RAM104. Computing system 10 further preferably includes I/O devices 202,such as main storage device 214 for storing operating system 204 andinstructions or application program(s) 206, and display 208 for visualoutput, and other I/O devices 212 as appropriate, such as a keypad,keyboard, touchscreen and/or the like for receiving direct user input.Main storage device 214 preferably is connected to CPU 102 through amain storage controller (represented as 108) connected to bus 110.Network adapter 210 allows the computer system to send and receive datathrough communication devices or any other network adapter capable oftransmitting and receiving data over a communications link that iseither a wired, optical, or wireless data pathway. It is recognizedherein that central processing unit (CPU) 102 performs instructions,operations or commands stored in ROM 106 or RAM 104.

Processor 102 may, for example, be embodied as various means includingone or more microprocessors with accompanying digital signalprocessor(s), one or more processor(s) without an accompanying digitalsignal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more multi-coreprocessors, one or more controllers, processing circuitry, one or morecomputers, various other processing elements including integratedcircuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integratedcircuit) or FPGA (field programmable gate array), or some combinationthereof. Accordingly, although illustrated in FIG. 1 as a singleprocessor, in some embodiments, processor 102 comprises a plurality ofprocessors. The plurality of processors may be embodied on a singlecomputing device or may be distributed across a plurality of computingdevices collectively configured to function as the computing device 10.The plurality of processors may be in operative communication with eachother and may be collectively configured to perform one or morefunctionalities of the computing device 10 as described herein. In anexample embodiment, processor 102 is configured to execute instructionsstored in memory 104, 106 or otherwise accessible to processor 102.These instructions, when executed by processor 102, may cause thecomputing device 10 to perform one or more of the functionalities of thecomputing device 10 as described herein.

Whether configured by hardware, firmware/software methods, or by acombination thereof, processor 102 may comprise an entity capable ofperforming operations according to embodiments of the present inventionwhile configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when processor 102 isembodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, processor 102 may comprisespecifically configured hardware for conducting one or more operationsdescribed herein. As another example, when processor 102 is embodied asan executor of instructions, such as may be stored in memory 104, 106,the instructions may specifically configure processor 102 to perform oneor more algorithms and operations described herein.

The plurality of memory components 104, 106 may be embodied on a singlecomputing device 10 or distributed across a plurality of computingdevices. In various embodiments, memory may comprise, for example, ahard disk, random access memory, cache memory, flash memory, a compactdisc read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc read only memory(DVD-ROM), an optical disc, circuitry configured to store information,or some combination thereof. Memory 104, 106 may be configured to storeinformation, data, applications, instructions, or the like for enablingthe computing device 10 to carry out various functions in accordancewith example embodiments discussed herein. For example, in at least someembodiments, memory 104, 106 is configured to buffer input data forprocessing by processor 102. Additionally or alternatively, in at leastsome embodiments, memory 104, 106 may be configured to store programinstructions for execution by processor 102. Memory 104, 106 may storeinformation in the form of static and/or dynamic information. Thisstored information may be stored and/or used by the computing device 10during the course of performing its functionalities.

Many other devices or subsystems or other I/O devices 212 may beconnected in a similar manner, including but not limited to, devicessuch as microphone, speakers, flash drive, CD-ROM player, DVD player,printer, main storage device 214, such as hard drive, and/or modem eachconnected via an I/O adapter. Also, although preferred, it is notnecessary for all of the devices shown in FIG. 1 to be present topractice the present disclosure, as discussed below. Additionally, thecomputing device 10 may further include a network adapter 210 configuredto transmit and/or receive information, such as to and/or from otherapparatus(es), network(s) or the like. The network adapter 210 may beconfigured to transmit and/or receive information by physical (wired)and/or wireless communications links. Examples of suitable communicationinterfaces include a network interface controller (NIC), wireless NIC(WNIC) or the like. Additionally and/or alternatively, the networkadapter 210 may be configured to transmit and/or receive information,such as data packets, via a wireless mesh network that includes aplurality of radio nodes, as known to one of skill in the art.

Furthermore, the devices and subsystems may be interconnected indifferent configurations from that shown in FIG. 1, or may be based onoptical or gate arrays, or some combination of these elements that iscapable of responding to and executing instructions or operations. Theoperation of a computer device such as that shown in FIG. 1 is readilyknown in the art and is not discussed in further detail in thisapplication, so as not to overcomplicate the present discussion.

In some embodiments, some or all of the functionality facilitatingactivation, engagement, and/or control of a vehicle may be performed byprocessor 102. In this regard, the example processes and algorithmsdiscussed herein can be performed by at least one processor 102. Forexample, non-transitory computer readable storage media can beconfigured to store firmware, one or more application programs, and/orother software, which include instructions and other computer-readableprogram code portions that can be executed to control processors of thecomponents of system 201 to implement various operations, including theexamples shown above. As such, a series of computer-readable programcode portions may be embodied in one or more computer program productsand can be used, with a computing device, server, and/or otherprogrammable apparatus, to produce the machine-implemented processesdiscussed herein.

Any such computer program instructions and/or other type of code may beloaded onto a computer, processor or other programmable apparatusescircuitry to produce a machine, such that the computer, processor orother programmable circuitry that executes the code may be the means forimplementing various functions, including those described herein. Asindicated herein, program code instructions may be stored in memory, andexecuted by a processor, to implement functions of the systems,subsystems, tools and their respective elements described herein. Aswill be appreciated, any suitable program code instructions may beloaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus from acomputer-readable storage medium to produce a particular machine, suchthat the particular machine becomes a means for implementing thefunctions specified herein. These program code instructions may also bestored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer,a processor or other programmable apparatus to function in a particularmanner to thereby generate a particular machine or particular article ofmanufacture. The instructions stored in the computer-readable storagemedium may produce an article of manufacture, where the article ofmanufacture becomes a means for implementing functions described herein.The program code instructions may be retrieved from a computer-readablestorage medium and loaded into a computer, processor or otherprogrammable apparatus to configure the computer, processor or otherprogrammable apparatus to execute operations to be performed on or bythe computer, processor or other programmable apparatus.

Retrieval, loading and execution of the program code instructions may beperformed sequentially such that one instruction is retrieved, loadedand executed at a time. In some example implementations, retrieval,loading and/or execution may be performed in parallel such that multipleinstructions are retrieved, loaded, and/or executed together. Executionof the program code instructions may produce a computer-implementedprocess such that the instructions executed by the computer, processoror other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementingfunctions described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a diagram depicting anexemplary vehicle engagement system 201 in which concepts consistentwith the present disclosure may be implemented. Examples of each elementwithin the vehicle engagement system 201 of FIG. 2 are broadly describedabove with respect to FIG. 1. In particular, the server system 260 anduser system 220 have attributes similar to computer system 10 of FIG. 1and illustrate one possible implementation of computer system 10.Vehicle engagement system 201 preferably includes one or more usersystems 220, 222, 224 (e.g., a first computing device, a secondcomputing device, a third computing device, etc.), one or more serversystem 260, and network 250, which could be, for example, the Internet,public network, private network or cloud. User systems 220-224 eachpreferably include a computer-readable medium, such as random accessmemory, coupled to a processor. The processor, CPU 102, executes programinstructions or operations stored in memory. Vehicle engagement system201 typically includes one or more user system 220. For example, usersystem 220 may include one or more general-purpose computers (e.g.,personal computers), one or more special purpose computers (e.g.,devices specifically programmed to communicate with each other and/orthe server system 260), a workstation, a server, a device, a digitalassistant or a “smart” cellular telephone or pager, a digital camera, acomponent, other equipment, or some combination of these elements thatis capable of responding to and executing instructions or operations.

Similar to user system 220, server system 260 preferably includes acomputer-readable medium, such as random access memory, coupled to aprocessor. The processor executes program instructions stored in memory.Server system 260 may also include a number of additional external orinternal devices, such as, without limitation, a mouse, a CD-ROM, akeyboard, a display, a storage device and other attributes similar tocomputer system 10 of FIG. 1. Server system 260 may additionally includea secondary storage element, such as database 270 for storage of dataand information. Server system 260, although depicted as a singlecomputer system, may be implemented as a network of computer processors.Memory in server system 260 contains one or more executable steps,program(s), algorithm(s), or application(s) 206 (shown in FIG. 1). Forexample, the server system 260 may include a web server, informationserver, application server, one or more general-purpose computers (e.g.,devices specifically programmed to communicate with each other), aworkstation or other equipment, or some combination of these elementsthat is capable of responding to and executing instructions oroperations.

The vehicle engagement system 201 is capable of delivering andexchanging data between user system 220 and a server system 260 throughcommunications link 240 and/or network 250. Through user system 220,users can preferably communicate over network 250 with each other usersystem 220, 222, 224, and with other systems and devices, such as serversystem 260, to electronically transmit, store, manipulate, and/orotherwise use data exchanged between the user system and the serversystem. Communications link 240 typically includes network 250 making adirect or indirect communication between the user system 220 and theserver system 260, irrespective of physical separation. Examples of anetwork 250 include the Internet, cloud, analog or digital wired andwireless networks, radio, television, cable, satellite, and/or any otherdelivery mechanism for carrying and/or transmitting data or otherinformation, such as to electronically transmit, store, manipulate,and/or otherwise modify data exchanged between the user system and theserver system. The communications link 240 may include, for example, awired, wireless, cable, optical or satellite communication system orother pathway. It is contemplated herein that RAM 104, main storagedevice 214, and database 270 may be referred to herein as storagedevice(s) or memory device(s).

Referring to FIG. 3, a vehicle engagement system 300 may further includeany one of a first computing device 310, a second computing device 320,a third computing device 330, a fourth computing device 340, a fifthcomputing device 350, and a sixth computing device 360, as describedherein above with respect to FIG. 1. For example, a first computingdevice 310 may be operably engaged with a first vehicle 311. Accordingto one aspect, the first computing device 310 may be operably engagedwith an ignition system of the first vehicle 311. In another aspect, asecond computing device may be operably engaged with the first vehicle311 and/or another vehicle. In particular, the second computing device320 may be configured to operably engage a battery system of the firstvehicle 311 and/or another vehicle. In some aspects, the third computingdevice 330 may be configured to operably engage the first vehicle 311and/or another vehicle. For example, the third computing device 330 maybe configured to operably engage an electrical load of an electricalsystem of the first vehicle 311 and/or another vehicle. In some aspects,the third computing device 330 may be configured to operably engage aload control slave module 321 of an electrical system of a first vehicle311 and/or another vehicle.

The first, second, and third computing devices 310, 320, 330 may beconfigured to operably engage a vehicle system using close proximitywireless communication protocols, such as Bluetooth, NFC, and/or thelike. For example, the first, second and/or third computing devices 310,320, 330 may be configured to wirelessly communicate with a fourthcomputing device 340. The fourth computing device 340 may be configuredto operably engage any one of the first, second, and/or third computingdevices 310, 320, 330 using a close proximity wireless communicationprotocol. Additionally, the fourth computing device 340 may beconfigured to electronically communicate and/or be operably engaged withthe fifth computing device 350 using a network communication protocol(e.g., the Internet) via a network 301. Likewise, the fourth and fifthcomputing devices 340, 350 may be configured to electronicallycommunicate and/or be operably engaged with a sixth computing device 360using a network communication protocol (e.g., the Internet) via thenetwork 301.

In some aspects, the first computing device 310, such as a computingdevice described in FIG. 1 and/or the like, may include a first displaythat is configured to provide at least one indicia. The indicia may beconfigured to provide an indication of whether the vehicle is configuredto move forward, is in a neutral configuration, and/or configured tomove backwards. According to some aspects, the first computing device310 may further include a keypad, as described with respect to thecomputing device in FIG. 1, configured to receive a user inputcorresponding to an authentication code for enabling control of avehicle engagement system. Likewise, the second and third computingdevices 320, 330 may include a similar keypad and/or the like configuredto receive a user input corresponding to an authentication code forenabling control of a battery and/or an electrical load of an electricalsystem of an associated vehicle.

Additionally or alternatively, the first, second, and/or third computingdevices may further include a global positioning system (GPS)communication system configured to determine the location of the first,second, and/or third computing devices and a vehicle associated with anyof the computing devices. Further, any of the first, second, and/orthird computing devices 310, 320, 330 may further include an alarmmodule configured to provide a visual and/or audio alarm when the first,second, and/or third computing devices 310, 320, 330 are tampered,altered, and/or otherwise manipulated in an unauthorized fashion.According to some aspects, the first, second, and/or third computingdevices may further include a USB input/output configured toelectrically charge the first, second, and/or third computing devicesrespectively.

In some aspects of the present disclosure, the first and/or secondcomputing devices may further include at least one electrical connectorconfigured to operably engage a corresponding electrical connector of avehicle associated with the first and/or second computing device. Forexample, the first and second computing devices may further include apower-in electrical connector, a power-out electrical connector, and aground connector configured to operably engage an electrical circuitassociated with at least one vehicle system and/or battery associatedwith a vehicle that is associated with the first and/or second computingdevice. For example, the first computing device 310 may be electricallyconnected and operably engaged with a vehicle ignition system so as toprovide for remote operation and/or control of the vehicle ignitionsystem. The first computing device 310 may include an electrical switchconfigured to complete an electrical circuit so as to control and/orremotely engage a vehicle ignition system, such as the vehicle ignitionsystem of a first vehicle 311. According to some aspects, the firstcomputing device 310 may be configured to receive an engagement sequenceso as to complete the electrical circuit thereby controlling the vehicleignition system and/or providing for the remote ignition of theassociated vehicle (e.g., the first vehicle).

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the secondcomputing device 320 may further include at least one electricalconnector configured to operably engage a battery, an electrical storagesystem, and/or the like of a vehicle associated with the secondcomputing device 320. In some aspects, the second computing device 320may be associated with the first vehicle 311. According to anotheraspect, the second computing device 320 may be associated with anothervehicle.

The second computing device 320 may further include a display configuredto provide at least one indicia. In some aspects, the indicia maycorrespond to at least one of a battery status, such as, for example, abattery purchase and/or installation date, a total battery usage timeinterval, a number of battery charge/discharge cycles, and/or an overallbattery health status. According to some aspects, the second computingdevice 320 may be configured to transmit data associated with at leastone battery status to another computing device, such as, for example, afourth, fifth, and/or sixth computing device 340, 350, 360.

As stated herein, the third computing device 330 may be configured tocontrol an electrical load of an electrical system of a vehicleassociated with the third computing device 330. In some aspects, thethird computing device 330 may be configured to control an electricalload of a system of the first vehicle 311. For example, the thirdcomputing device 330 may be configured to electrically communicate witha load control slave module 321 that is operably engaged with anelectrical system of the associated vehicle. The load control slavemodule 321 and the third computing device 330 may be configured toelectrically communicate with one another using a near proximitywireless communication protocol, such as Bluetooth and/or the like. Theload control slave module 321 may be electrically connected with a powersource, such as a battery, and may be configured to modulate and/orprovide a desired electrical output to a desired electrical system ofthe associated vehicle when the third computing device 330 is operablyengaged with the load control slave module 321. The third computingdevice 330 may be configured to transmit a signal to the load controlslave module 321 so as to provide the desired electrical output to thespecific electrical system of the associated vehicle. For example, thethird computing device 330 may be configured to transmit a signal to theload control slave module 321 so as to receive an electrical load inputof approximately between 36 and 48 volts and provide an electrical loadoutput of approximately 12 volts. The load control slave module 321 maybe configured to provide the desired electrical load output to anelectrical system (e.g., air-conditioner, fans, lights, heater elements,and/or the like) of the associated vehicle.

As previously stated herein, the fourth computing device 340 may beconfigured to transmit and/or receive data associated with any of thefirst, second, and/or third computing devices 310, 320, 330.Additionally, the fifth and/or sixth computing devices 350, 360 may alsobe configured to transmit and/or receive data associated with any of thefirst, second, and/or third computing devices 310, 320, 330. Forexample, the fourth computing device 340 may include any suitablecomputing device, such as, for example, a smartphone, tablet, laptop,desktop and/or the like configured to control any one of the first,second, and/or third computing devices 310, 320, 330.

Further, any of the first, second, third, and/or fourth computingdevices 310, 320, 330, 340 may be configured to receive usercharacteristic data associated with a specific user of the vehicleengagement system. For example, the fourth, fifth, and/or sixthcomputing device 340, 350, 360 may be configured to receive usercharacteristic data associated with the user, such as an authorizationlevel of the user, vehicle usage history associated with the user,current and/or past vehicle location status(es) associated with avehicle currently associated with the user, vehicle status of a vehiclecurrently associated with the user, and/or the like. Additionally and/oralternatively, the fourth computing device 340 may be configured totransmit an activation signal to any one of the first, second, and/orthird computing devices 310, 320, 330 so as to provide for the operableengagement of the first, second, and/or third computing device with avehicle associated with any one of the first, second and/or thirdcomputing devices. In some aspects, the sixth computing device 360 maybe configured to store user characteristic data, vehicle characteristicdata, and/or data associated with the computing device operably engagedwith the vehicle. That is, the sixth computing device 360 may beconfigured to provide for fleet management services to a plurality ofvehicles by electronically communicating with any one of the first,second, third, fourth, and/or fifth computing devices.

Aspects of the present disclosure also provide for a method of using avehicle engagement system, as described herein. Referring to FIG. 4, amethod 400 may include receiving an authorization code on at least afourth computing device 401. Additionally or alternatively, the first,second, and/or third computing device may be configured to transmitand/or receive an electrical signal corresponding to the authorizationcode with the fourth computing device. The method 400 may includeproviding an authorization code 402 to any one of the first, second,and/or third computing devices. In some aspects, the fourth computingdevice may be configured to provide the authorization code to any one ofthe first, second, and/or third computing devices. According to anotheraspect, a user may provide the authorization code to any one of thefirst, second, and/or third computing device via an input device of thefirst, second, and/or third computing device.

The method 400 may further include verifying the authorization code 404provided to the specific computing device. In some aspects, the first,second, and/or third computing device may electronically communicatewith any one of the fourth, fifth, and/or sixth computing device toverify the authorization code is valid. Additionally, any one of thefourth, fifth, and/or sixth computing device may be configured totransmit a signal to the first, second, and/or third computing devicethat includes data corresponding to a validation of the specificauthorization code.

The method 400 may further include enabling control of a vehicle system406 corresponding to the first, second, and/or third computing deviceupon validation of the specific authorization code. For example, if auser has provided a valid authorization code, the first computing device310 may be configured to engage a vehicle ignition system so as to allowfor the user to control the vehicle movement. In another aspect, thesecond computing device 320 may be configured to engage a battery and/orpower source so as to allow for the user to control (e.g., turn on/off)access to a battery and/or a power source of a vehicle associated withthe second computing device 320. According to another aspect, the thirdcomputing device 330 may be configured to engage a load control slavemodule 321 so as to allow for the user to control (e.g., provide aparticular electrical load) an electrical system of a vehicle associatedwith the third computing device 330. Additionally or alternatively,enabling control of a vehicle system 406 may further include enabling auser to provide input to the first, second, and/or third computingdevice so as to control various vehicle systems corresponding to thefirst, second, and/or third computing device.

In some aspects, the method 400 may further include performing fleetmanagement services 408 for a vehicle operably engaged with any one ofthe first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and/or sixth computing devices.For example, the system may be configured to monitor a vehicle'slocation using a global positioning system, multilateration of radiosignals, and/or the like. In some aspects, the system may be configuredto track, record, and/or monitor vehicle usage, vehicle systems usage,battery health, battery status, load control status, and/or the likefeatures of the vehicle using any one of the first, second, and/or thirdcomputing devices operably engaged with the vehicle. Further, the systemmay be configured to allow for particular user access to a vehicle usingany one of the first, second, and/or third computing devices associatedwith the vehicle. For example, a user with a fourth computing device mayapproach a vehicle operably engaged with a first computing device. Thefourth computing device may be configured to electronically communicatewith the first computing device when a proper authentication has beenverified by the first computing device, thereby allowing the user tostart an ignition system of the vehicle and/or other systems of thevehicle. The system may be further configured to track and monitor aplurality of vehicles, each vehicle being associated with a computingdevice configured to provide for remote vehicle engagement.

Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which thedisclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specificimplementations disclosed and that modifications and otherimplementations are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing description and theassociated drawings describe example implementations in the context ofcertain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should beappreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions maybe provided by alternative implementations without departing from thescope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, differentcombinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitlydescribed above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of theappended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they areused in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for keyless activation, engagement, andmonitoring of vehicles, said method comprising: connecting a firstcomputing device having a first processor, a first keypad, a firstdisplay and a first data store to an ignition system of a vehicle andconfiguring said first computing device to receive and process an atleast one vehicle data associated with an activation and engagementsequence of said vehicle; connecting a second computing device having asecond processor and a second data store to a battery system of saidvehicle and configuring said second computing device to receive andprocess an on-off control and activation of said battery system;connecting a third computing device having a third processor and a thirddata store to an at least one load control slave module of said vehicle,said at least one load control slave module being capable of modulatinga voltage output to an electronically controlled device of said vehicle,and configuring said third computing device to receive and process anon-off control and activation of said at least one load control slavemodule; and configuring a fourth computing device having a fourthprocessor, a fourth display, and a fourth data store with an applicationto transmit an activation and engagement sequence in accordance withsaid vehicle's ignition system and said on-off control and activationvia a close proximity wireless communication thereto said firstcomputing device, said second computing device, and said third computingdevice; thereby allowing a user to activate, engage, and monitor saidvehicle via close proximity communication between said fourth computingdevice and said first computing device, said second computing device andsaid third computing device.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising configuring a fifth computing device having a fifthprocessor, a fifth display, and a fifth data store to receive andcommunicate said activation and engagement sequence in accordance withsaid vehicle's ignition system and said an on-off control andactivation, therewith said fourth computing device via distant wirelesscommunication and an Internet.
 3. The method of claim 2, furthercomprising configuring a sixth computing device having a sixthprocessor, a sixth display, and a sixth data store, said sixth processorto generate and communicate said activation and engagement sequence inaccordance with said vehicle's ignition system and said on-off controland activation, therewith said fourth computing device via distantwireless communication and the Internet, therewith said fifth computingdevice via distant wireless communication and the Internet.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising configuring said first display toprovide a forward indicator and a reverse indicator and configuring saidfirst computing device to communicate with said second and said thirdcomputing device via close proximity wireless communication.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising configuring said close proximitywireless communication via at least an at least one close proximitywireless communication technology from a group of communicationtechnologies comprising a Bluetooth connection, a Wi-Fi connection, andan RF Mesh connection.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprisingconfiguring a computing device from a group of computing devicescomprising said first computing device, said second computing device,and said third computing device with a GPS capability.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising including on a computing device from a groupof computing devices comprising said first computing device, said secondcomputing device, and said third computing device, a security alarm. 8.The method of claim 1, further comprising including on a computingdevice from a group of computing devices comprising said first computingdevice, said second computing device, and said third computing device, aUSB charger wherein said computing device may be charged via USB.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising including a battery indicator onsaid second computing device includes, the battery indicator beingassociated with a battery status.
 10. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising configuring an at least one computing device from a group ofcomputing devices comprising said first computing device, said secondcomputing device, and said third computing device to receive anauthorization code.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprisingconfiguring said at least one computing device to verify theauthorization code via at least one of said fourth computing device,said fifth computing device and said sixth computing device.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising approaching said vehicle withsaid forth computing device, activating said application on said forthcomputing device, operably engaging said forth computing device withsaid first computing device, electronically communicating between saidfirst and said forth computing device to authenticate and start saidvehicle, and engaging a group of other systems in said vehicle viacommunication between said first computing device and said second andsaid third computing devices.
 13. A system for keyless activation,engagement, and monitoring of vehicles and mobile app system, saidsystem comprising: a first computing device having a first processor, afirst keypad, a first display and a first data store, said firstcomputing device configured to receive and process at least one vehicledata associated with a first vehicle via a close proximity wirelesscommunication; a second computing device having a second processor and asecond data store, said second processor configured to receive andprocess an on-off control and activation of the battery systems andtransmit a battery status via said close proximity wirelesscommunication; a third computing device having a third processor and athird data store, said third processor configured to receive and processan on-off control and activation of a load control slave module capableof modulating a voltage output to an electronically controlled devicevia said close proximity wireless communication; and a fourth computingdevice having a fourth processor, a fourth display, and a fourth datastore, said fourth processor configured with an application to transmitan activation and engagement sequence in accordance with said vehicle'signition system and said an on-off control and activation via said closeproximity wireless communication thereto said first computing device,said second computing device, and said third computing device; therebyallowing a user to activate, engage, and monitor said vehicle via closeproximity communication between said fourth computing device and saidfirst computing device, said second computing device and said thirdcomputing device.
 14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a fifthcomputing device having a fifth processor and a fifth data store, saidfifth processor configured to receive and communicate said activationand engagement sequence in accordance with said vehicle's ignitionsystem and said an on-off control and activation, therewith said fourthcomputing device via distant wireless communication and the Internet.15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a sixth computing devicehaving a sixth processor and a sixth data store, said sixth processorconfigured to generate and communicate said activation and engagementsequence in accordance with said vehicle's ignition system and said anon-off control and activation, therewith said fourth computing devicevia distant wireless communication and the Internet, therewith saidfifth computing device via distant wireless communication and theInternet.
 16. The system of claim 13, wherein said first display isconfigured to provide a forward indicator and a reverse indicator andsaid first computing device is configured to communicate with saidsecond and said third computing device via close proximity wirelesscommunication.
 17. The system of claim 13, wherein said close proximitywireless communication is configured via at least an at least one closeproximity wireless communication technology from a group ofcommunication technologies comprising a Bluetooth connection, a Wi-Ficonnection, and an RF Mesh connection.
 18. The system of claim 13,wherein a computing device from a group of computing devices comprisingsaid first computing device, said second computing device, and saidthird computing device is configured with a GPS capability.
 19. Themethod of claim 13, wherein a computing device from a group of computingdevices comprising said first computing device, said second computingdevice, and said third computing device is configured to receive andverify an authorization code from at least one of said fourth computingdevice, said fifth computing device and said sixth computing device. 20.The method of claim 19, wherein said forth computing device isconfigured to, when within range of said vehicle, activate saidapplication on said forth computing device, operably engage said forthcomputing device with said first computing device, electronicallycommunicate between said first and said forth computing device toauthenticate and start said vehicle, and engage a group of other systemsin said vehicle via communication between said first computing deviceand said second and said third computing devices.